Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544495
MALTA is set to trial auton- omous buses under a new leg- islative framework designed to prioritise safety, testing and evidence gathering, Mal- taToday has learnt. Proposed regulations by Transport Malta would al- low a small autonomous bus to operate on pre-ap- proved routes as part of an EU-funded pilot project. The initiative involves collabora- tion between the University of Malta and Malta Public Transport, the public trans- port operator. Sources privy to the initia- tive explained trials are ex- pected to take place in both Malta and Gozo. Two routes have been identified: A con- nection between Smart City and Esplora science centre, both located in Kalkara; and another running from the village of San Lawrenz to Ta' Dbieġi Crafts Village in Gozo. The project is set to run until 2027. CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 CONTINUES ON PAGE 4 YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT SUNDAY 19 APRIL 2026 • ISSUE 1381 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY In it to win it Scotland, Wales and Malta Don't cry Why men do not seek help for mental health problems PN Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione on the election, candidates, and voter expectations Will electronic vote counting in Malta be affected by Scottish and Welsh elections? INTERVIEW MT2 Tourism authority to block hotel height concessions €2.20 THE Malta Tourism Authori- ty (MTA) will be central to en- forcing government's decision to stop hotel height concessions currently allowed by planning policies, MaltaToday has learnt. New rules will prevent the MTA from approving projects that exceed local height limi- tations thus circumventing the need for a lengthy process to change planning policy. PAGE 3 PAGES 12-13 maltatoday JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Tourism Minister Ian Borg Malta set to trial driverless buses Pilot study will see autonomous buses running between Smart City and Esplora in Malta, and San Lawrenz and Ta' Dbieġi Crafts Village in Gozo • Project will require a licensed driver to be on board with aim of collecting real-world data KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Singapore is trialling autonomous buses later this year in an attempt to include driverless vehicles as part of its long- term transport vision (Photo: WeRide)